TRENCH

Someone Else - Chapter Four

"Oh, all hail Dema pride," the choir group sang. "For love will abide and concur hard times."

Delroy had been put in what Dema called a "Faith Unit". It was religious counseling for those that were losing their faith in Dema. Usually, people came here willingly. Other times, like Delroy, they were assigned to attend.

There were other people in the room, mainly rereading their leaflets that they were handed by a friend. Maybe they were rethinking about coming here. Delroy couldn't stop looking around for opportunities. He knew that the counseling Bishop would be in soon, maybe he could sneak out before then and return to his dwelling to adjust the plan and strike out again.

"We will stand as one, underneath the sun," the chorus continued. "And we'll pray for a heart of love."

"Everybody, please remain seated for our session," a priest said as he came up on stage. The choir group snuck off the stage behind him. "But do give a welcoming smile to your counselor today, Father Keons."

The priest waved his palm to the stand and Keons walked up, adorned in a red cloak. The priest then also disappeared much like the singing group.

"Welcome citizens of Dema," Keons said. "I know that the story may be different to all of you, but I know why you're here."

Delroy looked up narrowly, he didn't want to pay too much attention and get sucked back in with his insecurities.

"You're here because you, or a family member, or even a friend, believe that you are losing faith in Dema's spiritual activities," Keons stated, placing his palms on the sides of the stand as he looked the crowd over. Delroy could sense a smile. "I understand what this feeling is like. 

Sometimes the problem is just caused by the lack of proper explanation and other times it stems from nourishing factors from childhood."

Keons' eye landed on Delroy. "I understand that a majority of you are from Father Nico's district, yes?"

A few people raised their hands, and Delroy was hesitant to add his to the sky.

"Then I know that Nicolas' teachings are less traditional and more... harsh than that of the other Bishops'," Keons said. "Just don't tell him that I said that."

This grabbed a small laugh from the crowd, and suddenly, Delroy was comfortable. It wasn't itching for an escape with Keons around.

"I will inform you that there are district transfers you can have in place in order to move to another Bishop district," Keons explained. "But this is usually only courted between the other Bishops, as a way to even districts out of people."

Keons lilted his head a little to the left side of his body. "Unfortunately, my current district is crowded so I am unable to take in any more people."

The crowd seemed to all bow their heads and frown ever so slightly.

"But there are other districts you can live in that I believe you would consider being an amiable environment," Keons explained. "Father Vetomo and Father Nills have fewer and fewer people in recent years, their districts are currently holding around sixty men and forty women each and that's not including their children."

A man raised his hand in the crowd, Keons pointed and smiled. "Go on, sir."

"Is there any way we could petition for a district transfer?" The man asked.

"There are laws that support the people in this manner and a petition is one of them," Keons agreed. "It is mainly a matter of persuasion in the paper to get the petition through to your current Bishop."